The Universe Has no Place in the University

Or: The perversity of diversity instead of healthy controversy

I recently contacted Arizona State University regarding screening my new film, And Did They Listen? for the students and faculty alike. I was referred, and submitted my film, to Ms. Beatriz Kravetz, a lovely woman who is apparently in charge of such things. Quite honestly, in our brief telephone conversation she came across as an intelligent, sincere and engaging person. So my comments and purpose for posting this exchange are directed at her expressed position, not at her as a person.

I think the email exchange* will tell enough of the whole story, although I have more comments.

In this, oh so politically correct world, where every precious little bit of “diversity” – which simply means “variety” – is worshipfully promoted, without regard for any inherent qualitative value, almost anything that deviates from the norm that has enough vocal proponents can gain a place of unearned prominence, credibility or respectability through sheer force of numbers.

I’m not singling out any particular group or element and of course there are things that may come under the heading of diversity that may well have worthwhile qualities integral to them. If only that was what was being focused on instead of all of the mindless conformity, much of it perhaps stemming from liberal guilt and other examples of institutionalized spinelessness.

But I digress. Anyone who knows anything about the Billy Meier UFO contacts knows that it is the most well documented, analyzed, authenticated and profound body of evidence and information that establishes a credible foundation for Meier’s claims of 70+ years of ongoing extraterrestrial contacts. (This alone demolishes the often-unquestioned claims of “hoax”, etc.)

(NOTE: The Billy Meier UFO contact case has nothing to do, and isn’t to be confused, with the plethora of absolute garbage and delusional disinformation from the lights-in-the-sky chasing “UFO industry” about “alien abductions”, “six-inch aliens”, “extraterrestrial presence on Earth”, “hybrid alien babies”, etc.)

So when Ms. Kravitz’ first response expressed a concern that the topic was “controversial” instead of gleefully welcoming such “diversity”, I knew that trouble lay ahead. And I suspect that her inability to specify exactly what was so objectionable – especially in light of her admission to having taken time from her weekend to watch the film – indicated that perhaps the film so threatened her belief system that it overrode her presumed standards of academic and intellectual freedom, honesty, discovery, tolerance for “diverse” opinions, etc.

When one also considers the quality of the critique by college educated, atheist/skeptic David Sharpe regarding the evidence in the Meier case, my dread about “the level of ‘thinking’ in colleges and universities among skeptics” is more than warranted.

Many colleges and universities obviously encourage their students to “get involved in politics”, evidenced also by the high number of college degreed lawyers who are certainly among the main contributors to the spewing forth of the ongoing political pollution.

But try to bring a non-political, non-religious, non-trendy – but heavily documented, evidence rich body of information that is outside of the dead-end political-religious (and even scientific) paradigm and, well, look out. What makes this even more ironic is that Prof. Paul Davies, who not only teaches at ASU and prattles on extensively about “aliens” and “E.T”, instructed his media representative, Skip Derra, to respond, on November 28, 2012, to my earlier requests to present information about the Meier case, thusly:

“Hi Michael,

I spoke with Paul Davies about your request and he has asked me to relay his regrets. His interests and expertise do not extend into this area.

Thanks for your interest.

Skip”

Well mine do, sir.

Add Prof. Davies to the “Spineless” column…along with Prof. Boghossian. Maybe it’s time to consider “home schooling” high school graduates…if we ever hope to produce quality thinkers anymore. If you want a wake up call, go to China where you’ll find huge audiences comprised of professors, scientists, college age (and younger) people who’ll attend a credible presentation on the UFO topic and ask unapologetically probing, fact demanding questions. Perhaps they don’t spend as much time as their contemporaries here on endlessly entertaining themselves…at least not until after they’ve met their daily academic/educational demands.

To elaborate on a comment a friend recently made, considering that 99.99% of reality is indeed extraterrestrial, is it really asking too much to give a fair hearing to the Meier case information? After all, it would only take one thoroughly discredited presentation to an intelligent college audience to assure that there’d be no further interest in that arena.

However, I think that the result would be quite the opposite, which is why none of the professional skeptics will host such a debate at one of their own venues. And I think it’s why the protectors of the academic status quo, like Ms. Kravitz and Profs. Boghossian and Davies don’t want to take the risk. After all, there are those troublesome little issues about…funding, peer pressure, pride and position, etc.

Considering what’s at stake, too bad the search for the…truth doesn’t head the list of priorities.

*The email exchange picks up here, after my initial introduction:

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Hi Beatriz,

Since I present such conclusive answers to the question posed by Paul Davies the ASU community would probably be both interested and excited to have a chance to see, hear…and challenge them.

I forgot to add that my new film, as well as my two previous ones, has already been picked up for TV, debuting this spring.

Also, just for a further reference, my daughter and I produced this award-winning documentary, which is used by therapists, schools, etc.

Best,

MH

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Hi Michael,

I am sure I don’t need to explain that this is a controversial subject that would be difficult to get ASU to sponsor. Having said that, if you would like to send me a copy of your film, I would be happy to have a private screening with relevant faculty to see if there is any interest in having a public screening with a faculty member willing to put his or her name behind it.

I wish I could be more helpful, but this is the best that I can do.

Best,

Beatriz Kravetz

Manager, Marketing and Communications

School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies

Arizona State University

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Hi Beatriz,

I hope you’ve had time to see and enjoy And Did They Listen?

It seems that celebrating diversity - in terms of thoughts, beliefs, information, etc. – is also an essential element as ASU.

And I particularly liked this quote, “What is great about a controversy is that people are more open about what’s going on, and you have more access to discussions and arguments.”

Perhaps we could chat about this; let me know if I should give you a call.

Best,

MH

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Michael,

I took some time over the weekend to watch parts of the film. I appreciate the passion and determination you have put into this project. However, I regret to say that it is not something that will be shown nor endorsed by ASU.

If you would like me to return the DVD, I will be happy to do so if you provide an address. If you prefer, I would be happy to donate it to the local public library in hopes that more people may come across it and watch it.

Best of luck to you,

Beatriz

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Beatriz,

I’m troubled by your lack of response to my request to have an explanation regarding your speaking for the entire school in stating that my film won’t be shown there.

That is a rather severe thing to say about a film, especially one that is completely devoid of profanity, pornography, violence, etc. In fact, it sounds like outright…censorship, wouldn’t you agree? Is the information too threatening to your beliefs, religious views, etc.?

Perhaps this is a misunderstanding and you really only meant that, in your opinion, no professor would sponsor it.

Let’s be honest, if I was a trendy, tattooed, twerking, twittering, trans (cultural, sexual, vestite, ylvannian, etc.), not only would my “diversity” be welcomed, I’d probably be well on my way to having my own department at many universities…perhaps even yours.

Think I’m exaggerating? Well, if this is factual, I think you really do owe me an explanation…and an invitation to present something that just may stimulate actual thinking. After all, isn’t that what a university is supposed to be cultivating…instead of promoting belief systems and trendy aberrations?

I look forward to your response,

MH

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Sir,

Yes, it is my opinion. I have been overly generous with my time for you, I even took time off my weekend to watch your film, and quite frankly, I have better things to do with my time.

I encourage you to find someone on the university who will show your film.

I hope you can appreciate that I have responsibilities that I get paid for, responding to every person who would like to have their work shown on campus is not one of them.

I respectfully request that you refrain from contacting me in the future.

Sincerely,

Beatriz Kravetz

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Madam,

Thank you for the clarification.

I’ll only add that while you may well have better things to do with your time, based on the program I linked to below, I think my film would provide a better use of many students’ time than some of what is currently considered worthy of it.

Best,

MH

P.S. When I get emotional, non-specific reactions to my film and information, it’s usually because a person feels that their beliefs are threatened…which is as it should be in our puruit of the truth, since that is what higher education is supposed to be all about.

Copyright 2011 – All Rights Reserved. Please do not copy or reproduce the content on this blog for re-publication without the author/s written permission. Thank you.

The Universe Has no Place in the University originally appeared on They Fly on February 15, 2014.